City News Blog: City of Lakeland Launching Innovative Project to Restore Water Quality in Crystal Lake

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Lakeland, FL — May 2, 2025 — The City of Lakeland will soon move forward with a cutting-edge water quality improvement initiative for Crystal Lake, an impaired surface water body burdened by excessive nutrient levels. The project aims to dramatically reduce nutrient concentrations in the lake and restore its ecological balance through the application of a scientifically proven treatment product.

Crystal Lake has been identified as exceeding the state’s Numeric Nutrient Criteria, prompting environmental agencies to take action. In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the lake, requiring reductions in nutrient inputs from both stormwater and internal sources such as lakebed sediments. In 2018, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) approved the Crystal Lake Nutrient Reduction Plan (NRP) in lieu of the TMDL, outlining targeted actions for nutrient reduction by the City.

The City of Lakeland collaborated with environmental engineering firm WSP to conduct detailed nutrient source assessments within the Crystal Lake watershed. Findings revealed that sediment flux is responsible for approximately 90% of the lake's nutrient load. This led to a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating several nutrient-reducing technologies.

Among the solutions tested, Eutrosorb®-G, a proprietary lanthanum-modified bentonite (LMB) product developed by Eutrofix, emerged as the most effective and cost-efficient treatment option. The product binds with phosphorus as it sinks through the water column, eliminating it from surface waters and forming a stable barrier on the lakebed to prevent future nutrient release. Critically, Eutrosorb®-G maintains the lake’s pH and alkalinity, requiring no additional buffering agents, and has been demonstrated to be safe for aquatic life and personnel. The anticipated benefits of the treatment include reduced algal biomass, decreased nutrient concentrations, improved water clarity, and increased light transmission—conditions favorable for the resurgence of beneficial submerged aquatic vegetation that will further enhance water quality.

Laurie Smith, Manager of Lakes and Stormwater, stated, “We’re excited to introduce this innovative, emerging technology to help combat algae blooms and enhance the surface water quality in our City lakes. Using sediment treatment products is both efficient and cost-effective, costing less than 10% of traditional methods like sediment removal through dredging.”

This technology has been successfully implemented in lakes across the globe and has recently received approval for use in Central Florida by the FDEP. The City of Lakeland joins several other municipalities in utilizing this innovative approach; similar NRPs have been approved for other city lakes, including Lake Bonnet, Lake Gibson, Lake Mirror, Lake Morton, and Lake Parker. Additionally, lakes such as Lake Bonny, Lake Hunter, and Lake Hollingsworth remain under TMDL requirements.

“The investment in Crystal Lake represents our commitment to sustainable water management and environmental stewardship,” said Smith. “With this advanced treatment technology, we are not only addressing current water quality challenges but also ensuring long-term ecological health for future generations.” 

The Lakeland City Commission is set to finalize the decision at its meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025. A brief overview of the process was presented during the Agenda Study Session on Friday, May 2, 2025. For more information about the Crystal Lake Nutrient Reduction Plan or the City’s lake restoration initiatives, please contact Laurie Smith at 863-834-6276 or laurie.smith@lakelandgov.net. 

 

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